Virtual Graduate Commencement slated

Recorded speeches, calling of names will be online

Aracely Fox, who is receiving a doctorate in educational leadership, will speak on behalf of her fellow doctoral graduates.

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – May 1, 2020) On May 15, California Lutheran University will launch the first of two virtual 57th Annual Commencement ceremonies honoring 2020 graduates. In-person ceremonies for the Class of 2020 will be held after COVID-19-related restrictions on large gatherings are lifted.

The virtual 2020 Graduate Commencement honoring 429 students earning master’s degrees and 25 earning doctorates will be accessible beginning at 10 a.m. May 15 at CalLutheran.edu/Commencement. (The virtual commencement for undergraduate students will launch May 16.)

The virtual Graduate Commencement will include video recordings of student speeches, the presentation of graduates by Provost Leanne Neilson, and remarks from and the conferring of degrees by President Chris Kimball. There also will be a blessing, a message from the Alumni Board and a Cal Lutheran Choir performance. The web page will feature downloadable slides for each graduate with photos and recorded announcements of names that can be shared on social media.

Aracely Fox, who is receiving a doctorate in educational leadership, will speak on behalf of her fellow doctoral graduates. A first-generation Mexican American, the Oxnard resident was the first in her family to graduate from high school. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a teaching credential and master’s degree from Cal Lutheran. Because educational opportunities and support helped her overcome challenges, she decided to become an advocate for underrepresented students in the schools. The mother of four has worked for the Oxnard School District for 18 years, serving as a teacher, principal and now the director of dual-language programs.

Tien-Hsuan “Sandy” Chin, an international student receiving a master’s degree in business administration, will speak on behalf of the students receiving master’s degrees. A cellist who performed in hundreds of concerts over 15 years, she decided to quit her job, leave her home and cello in Taiwan, and seek an MBA in marketing at Cal Lutheran because she wants to help classical musicians better promote themselves. She enjoyed living with hosts in Simi Valley who made her feel like part of their family and meeting students from around the world at Cal Lutheran. She hopes to work for a marketing company where she can integrate her business knowledge and experience as a professional musician.

Cal Lutheran offers programs for about 1,200 graduate students through the School of Management, Graduate School of Education and Graduate School of Psychology in Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills, Westlake Village, Oxnard, Santa Maria, Austria and online. The university transitioned to virtual instruction for the spring semester on March 16 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, email commencement@callutheran.edu.

More

  • Cal Lutheran receives grant up to $1.2M
    September 16, 2022

    The National Science Foundation's Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program has awarded Cal Lutheran up to $1.2 million over five years for a project to encourage STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) majors and STEM professionals to pursue careers in K-12 teaching, especially in high-need school districts.

  • Deaf-education program founder retiring
    May 26, 2022

    The founding director of California Lutheran University’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program for prospective teachers is retiring with emeritus status on Tuesday.

  • Graduate, Professionals ceremony slated
    April 28, 2022

    California Lutheran University will hold its 2022 Graduate and Professionals Commencement at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 14. 

  • State approves bilingual teaching program
    May 5, 2021

    As the result of a rare interdisciplinary collaboration between undergraduate and graduate programs, California Lutheran University has become one of the first institutions in California where undergraduate students can begin earning their bilingual teaching authorization through coursework.

  • 2020 grads return to celebrate in person
    April 29, 2021

    One year after the pandemic forced California Lutheran University to hold commencement virtually, more than 300 members of the Class of 2020 will return to celebrate their achievements at an in-person ceremony just for them.

  • Faculty retiring with emeritus status
    April 21, 2021

    Seven California Lutheran University faculty members with a combined total of more than 160 years of service are retiring with emeritus status. 

  • Festival reflects year's historic events
    April 15, 2021

    The projects presented next week at California Lutheran University’s 15th Annual Festival of Scholars will reflect the historic events of the past year — from research conducted and films shot in students’ homes during pandemic stay-at-home orders to studies of the impact of distance learning and the optimal amount of lying during a political campaign.

  • Cal Lutheran plans in-person graduation
    February 23, 2021

    California Lutheran University will honor 2020 and 2021 graduates at drive-in, in-person ceremonies attended by their classmates and families at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

  • Cal Lutheran grad students number 1,220
    September 9, 2020

    The pandemic and the temporary move to virtual classes have had no impact on overall interest in California Lutheran University’s graduate programs, with enrollment remaining the same as last year at about 1,225 students at the start of the fall term.

  • Faculty retiring with emeritus status
    May 11, 2020

    Seven California Lutheran University faculty members with a combined total of more than 200 years of service are retiring with emeritus status.

©